Evening gents, New Inmate here. 2007 xr650l bone stock, other than the skid plate. I will be installing a Manrack thisweekend. I have a few other parts that came with the bike but i haven't installed yet, (smog delet, carb jets, K&N filter)
I am currently looking a new tires like the shinko 705s or perilli scorpions, I ride mostly on road so I was looking for more street tire to replace the "death wings"
Later.

I just installed my Shinko 705's and they are a great tire so far. I ride 90% asphalt and gravel / dirt roads now and then. They have been great. Seem long wearing. I wore out the stock rear tw in 700 miles. Also I bought a block off kit but decided not to use it. I see no real gain in doing it so I didn't. I like it very stock motor wise. Just rejetted a 55/ 155 and a titanium needle to keep it cool. Never seems to go over 240° in the slow going dirt roads and 225° on long road trips. Welcome to Xrl territory. I wouldn't rather have any other bike out there.

I just installed my Shinko 705's and they are a great tire so far. I ride 90% asphalt and gravel / dirt roads now and then. They have been great. Seem long wearing. I wore out the stock rear tw in 700 miles. Also I bought a block off kit but decided not to use it. I see no real gain in doing it so I didn't. I like it very stock motor wise. Just rejetted a 55/ 155 and a titanium needle to keep it cool. Never seems to go over 240° in the slow going dirt roads and 225° on long road trips. Welcome to Xrl territory. I wouldn't rather have any other bike out there.

Damn I love those cheap Shinko 244's they wear well and stick like glue in the twisties....

Evening gents, New Inmate here. 2007 xr650l bone stock, other than the skid plate. I will be installing a Manrack thisweekend. I have a few other parts that came with the bike but i haven't installed yet, (smog delet, carb jets, K&N filter)
I am currently looking a new tires like the shinko 705s or perilli scorpions, I ride mostly on road so I was looking for more street tire to replace the "death wings"
Later.

Your bike looks like one of mine but I have the manracks front and rear on mine and love em........I use the front rack for my camping gear and sleeping bag.

After cleaning the already clean looking carb and putting it back in, I got quite the surprise as my top speed was 83mph at full throttle twist on the freeway. With a 300lb rider and running Kenda 760's, I'm not sure if I can get much more than that (but would like another 10mph if possible! lol) Better than the 65 max I was getting.

What made the ride more interesting was once I got up to speed, I realized I forgot to bolt my seat down. Of course I left the tools and the bolts at home. Made for an interesting ride.

Upon startup there was a noticeable tick in the upper valvetrain. I rode the bike 2/10ths of a mile, good power, no performance problems, ticking ever present.

I pulled the left side case caps, put the mark on T, then rotate the engine counterclockwise with a 17 mm on a short breaker bar. At slightly more than 270 deg, (about 2 o clock) there is an audible snap, and I can see the right rocker move. This happens every other rotation, no adjustments make any difference.

I believe the decompressor is the problem. It came installed, I ass u me d all was well, it's not. I really see no choice in removing the cam, but don't know what to look for that would cause this.

Upon startup there was a noticeable tick in the upper valvetrain. I rode the bike 2/10ths of a mile, good power, no performance problems, ticking ever present.

I pulled the left side case caps, put the mark on T, then rotate the engine counterclockwise with a 17 mm on a short breaker bar. At slightly more than 270 deg, (about 2 o clock) there is an audible snap, and I can see the right rocker move. This happens every other rotation, no adjustments make any difference.

I believe the decompressor is the problem. It came installed, I ass u me d all was well, it's not. I really see no choice in removing the cam, but don't know what to look for that would cause this.

Ideas appreciated.

I've experienced much the same thing, it had me worried for a while...

I've recently done a rebuild and noticed a ticking when I first started it back up, it wasn't a loud or bad sounding tick, just not what I would consider normal with the valves adjusted right... It wasn't the normal noise the decompressor makes when cold (my decompressor has always been bit rattly when cold, I think it's normal)... I re-check the oil flow and valve clearances, they were fine...

After taking it for a decent ride the tick went away and hasn't returned.... I've since done 500km without an issue... I'm still not sure what caused the tick...

The decompressor operation you describe with the snap is the same as what I observed... I "believe" it's normal...